Fifth Third Bancorp Reports Third Quarter 2007 Earnings of $0.71 Per Diluted Share

10/19/07

Earnings Highlights

Fifth Third Bancorp today reported third quarter 2007 earnings of $376 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, compared with $376 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2007 and $377 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, for the same period in 2006.

“Third quarter results were solid in a quarter that saw significant market disruption. While we weren’t completely immune from that disruption, we were spared most of its effects,” said Kevin T. Kabat, President and CEO of Fifth Third Bancorp. “Revenue growth of two percent sequentially and seven percent from a year ago was impressive, given the market, with strength in both net interest income and fee income. Expenses were also well controlled during the quarter. Credit continues to be a challenge and we are actively managing our risks as the cycle progresses. We continue to expect further deterioration in credit trends for the near future but the deterioration to remain manageable. Overall, we were pleased with our results given the macro environment in this kind of quarter and continue to execute our strategic plans.”

Income Statement Highlights

Net Interest Income

Net interest income of $760 million on a taxable equivalent basis was up $15 million, or two percent, from the second quarter. Growth was driven by a two percent increase in earning assets, wider asset spreads, and lower wholesale borrowing rates during the quarter. Otherwise, the following factors offset one another in their effect on net interest income. Interest reversals on higher nonperforming assets as well as issuance of trust preferred securities and share repurchases in the second and third quarters lowered net interest income, while net interest income benefited from $6 million in dividend rate adjustments associated with the agreement to repurchase our REIT preferred stock, modest reductions in consumer deposit rates, and a higher day count. The net interest margin was 3.34 percent, down 3 bps. The margin was reduced by the impact of interest reversals on nonperforming loans, day count, and the issuance of trust preferred securities and share repurchases, offset by the benefit of the REIT dividends. Otherwise, wider asset spreads and lower wholesale borrowing costs produced modest margin expansion.

Compared with the third quarter 2006, net interest income increased $41 million, or six percent, and the net interest margin expanded 35 bps, primarily the result of the fourth quarter 2006 balance sheet actions.

Average Loans

Average loan and lease balances grew two percent sequentially and six percent over the third quarter last year. Average commercial loans and leases grew two percent sequentially and six percent compared with the year ago quarter. Average C&I loan growth was four percent sequentially and reflects growth in customer balances related to the disruption in wholesale capital markets. Commercial mortgage balances grew $87 million and commercial construction loans declined $96 million, reflecting the conversion of construction loans to permanent financing and otherwise low levels of activity in this sector. Consumer loans and leases grew one percent sequentially and six percent compared with the year ago quarter, reflecting strong auto loan and credit card growth, offset by anticipated run-off in the consumer lease portfolio totaling $381 million versus third quarter 2006. Excluding this run-off, consumer loans and leases grew seven percent versus the quarter a year ago.

Average Deposits

Average core deposits were down one percent sequentially and grew two percent over third quarter 2006. Strong growth in savings was largely offset by declines in interest checking, CDs and commercial demand deposits. Retail core deposits decreased two percent sequentially, driven primarily by growth in savings that was more than offset by declines in interest checking and CDs, and were up two percent from a year ago as savings and DDA balance growth more than offset declines in interest checking and CDs. Commercial core deposits grew one percent both sequentially and from the third quarter 2006.

Weighted average rates paid on interest-bearing core deposits declined to 3.36 percent compared with 3.42 percent in the second quarter. This reflected a modest reduction in rates paid across certain product offerings, partially offset by a continued shift from DDA and interest checking into higher rate deposit products, primarily savings and money market accounts.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income rose $15 million sequentially, or two percent, on higher revenues in payment processing, deposit service charges and corporate banking, as securities gains were more than offset by a sequential reduction in mortgage banking revenue. Compared with third quarter 2006, noninterest income grew nine percent, with growth across nearly every category except mortgage banking. We saw particular year-over-year strength in electronic payment processing revenue, deposit service charges and corporate banking revenue. Excluding securities gains, mortgage banking, and other noninterest income, sequential growth was three percent and year-over-year growth was 13 percent.

Service charges on deposits of $151 million increased six percent sequentially and 13 percent versus the same quarter last year. Retail service charges increased 11 percent from the second quarter, driven by strong new account openings and higher levels of customer activity. Retail deposit revenue grew 19 percent compared with the year ago quarter. Commercial service charges increased by one percent sequentially and increased five percent compared with last year.

Investment advisory revenue of $95 million was down three percent sequentially and up seven percent over third quarter last year. Private bank revenue increased three percent sequentially and was up 10 percent from the same quarter last year. Brokerage fee revenue declined nine percent sequentially, reflecting seasonality and volatile equity markets in the third quarter, and increased seven percent year-over-year due to growth in the number of licensed brokers.

Corporate banking revenue of $91 million increased three percent sequentially and 15 percent year-over-year, reflecting our continued efforts to build out our corporate banking capabilities. Growth was driven by higher letter of credit fees and foreign exchange revenue, as well as loan syndications and asset backed securities activity.

Mortgage banking net revenue totaled $26 million, compared with $41 million last quarter and $36 million in the prior year quarter, with the reduction from prior quarters primarily attributable to lower gain-on-sale margins realized during the quarter. Mortgage originations of $3.0 billion were down from $3.3 billion in second quarter 2007 and up from $2.3 billion in third quarter 2006. Gains on loan sales and other fees of $9 million declined from $25 million in the second quarter and $21 million in third quarter 2006. Gains were significantly affected by liquidity issues in mortgage markets during the third quarter, resulting in wider credit spreads. Third quarter 2007 results included the impact of $3 million in mark-to-market losses on $470 million of jumbo mortgages and $110 million of Alt-A mortgages, previously held for sale, which were transferred to the loan portfolio. We expect to hold future jumbo loan production in our portfolio, while current Alt-A production is being underwritten and delivered within agency flow sale agreements. Net servicing revenue, before MSR valuation adjustments, totaled $14 million in the third quarter, compared with $13 million in the second quarter and $13 million a year ago. The MSR valuation and related mark-to-market adjustments on free-standing derivatives netted to a positive $3 million adjustment in the third quarter, the same as in the second and year ago quarters. The mortgage-servicing asset, net of the valuation reserve, was $621 million at quarter end on a servicing portfolio of $33.1 billion.

Securities gains and losses were $13 million in net gains on investment securities in the third quarter of 2007 compared with net gains of $19 million in the third quarter of 2006. Results last year consisted of $53 million in gains from sale of MasterCard, Inc. shares and $34 million of losses on investment securities.

Other noninterest income totaled $93 million in the third quarter compared with $96 million last quarter and $87 million in the same quarter last year. Included in third quarter 2007 results were a gain of $15 million on the sale of FDIC deposit insurance credits and a loss of $6 million on auto loans held for securitization. Last quarter’s results included a $16 million gain on sale of $89 million in certain non-strategic credit card accounts. Third quarter 2006 results included net gains totaling $10.5 million from the sale of three Indiana branches and the sale of $23 million of out-of-footprint credit card receivables.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense of $816 million increased two percent from second quarter 2007 and increased six percent from third quarter 2006. Payment processing expense growth associated with the increase in processing activity was a significant driver of overall expense growth. Otherwise, expense growth was flat sequentially and four percent versus a year ago. Salaries, wages and incentives were up $1 million sequentially, reflecting higher revenue-based incentives partially offset by lower salaries and wages. Second quarter 2007 results included $5 million in severance expense associated with expense reduction initiatives.

Compared with the third quarter of 2006, noninterest expense increased six percent as salaries, wages and incentives were up eight percent largely as a result of higher performance-based compensation. Employee benefits expense included $6 million in costs associated with pension settlement expense in the third quarter, compared with $8 million in the third quarter last year. Payment processing expense growth of 25 percent was driven by similar growth in transaction volumes. Third quarter 2006 results included an $11 million charge associated with early extinguishment of debt. Year-over-year expense growth in other categories largely reflected higher de novo related expenses, up $7 million, and technology investments.

Credit Quality

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans and leases were 60 bps in the third quarter, compared with 55 bps last quarter and 43 bps in the third quarter of 2006. Sequential growth was primarily due to higher consumer charge-offs and lower commercial recoveries. Gross charge-offs and recoveries were 66 bps and 6 bps, respectively, of loans and leases, compared with 66 bps and 11 bps in the second quarter of 2007. Consumer net charge-offs of $79 million, or 93 bps, grew $24 million from the second quarter, driven primarily by losses in the auto and home equity portfolios. Auto charge-offs increased $10 million compared with last quarter primarily driven by higher deficiency balances on repossessed autos. Home equity losses increased $7 million compared with last quarter primarily due to increased losses on higher LTV and brokered second mortgage loans, reflecting borrower stress and lower home price valuations in certain geographies. Commercial net charge-offs of $36 million, or 33 bps, declined $11 million compared with the second quarter, driven by lower losses in the C&I and commercial mortgage portfolio and lower C&I recoveries. No commercial charge-off recorded in the third quarter exceeded $2 million. Second quarter net charge-offs included $3 million in losses related to the sale of $27 million in nonperforming commercial loans, and third quarter 2006 net charge-offs included $3 million in losses on the sale of $17 million in nonperforming commercial loans.

Provision for loan and lease losses totaled $139 million in the third quarter, exceeding net charge-offs of $115 million, compared with $121 million last quarter and $87 million in the same quarter last year. The allowance for loan and lease losses represented 1.08 percent of total loans and leases outstanding as of quarter end, compared with 1.06 percent last quarter and 1.04 percent in the same quarter last year.

Nonperforming assets (NPAs) at quarter end were $706 million, or 92 bps of total loans and leases and other real estate owned, up from 70 bps last quarter and 56 bps in the third quarter a year ago. Sequential growth in NPAs was $178 million, or 34 percent. Commercial NPAs of $446 million, or 104 bps, grew $116 million. Commercial construction and commercial mortgage continued to drive commercial NPA growth, particularly in Eastern Michigan, Northeastern Ohio, and Southern Florida which together accounted for two-thirds of the increase in commercial NPAs. Consumer NPAs of $260 million, or 78 bps, grew $62 million, driven primarily by higher first and second mortgage non-accrual loans, including $22 million related to debt restructurings with borrowers as well as higher foreclosed real estate, reflecting the impact of a weaker economy in parts of our footprint and generally lower home prices. Florida and Michigan accounted for almost two-thirds of the consumer NPA increase. Delinquent loans were $360 million, up $58 million from the second quarter, with the growth split evenly between commercial and consumer. Commercial delinquency growth was concentrated in construction lending, particularly in Southern Florida and Eastern Michigan. Consumer growth was driven by residential delinquencies in Florida and Michigan.

Capital Position/Other

The tangible equity ratio was relatively flat sequentially, and declined 52 bps compared with the prior year third quarter primarily due to the effect of share repurchases partially offset by lower tangible assets as a result of the fourth quarter 2006 balance sheet actions. Regulatory capital ratios benefited from the issuance of $575 million in trust preferred securities. As previously announced, Fifth Third entered into an agreement to repurchase the outstanding Series B preferred shares of the Fifth Third REIT. The transaction is expected to close in December 2007 and will lower fourth quarter regulatory capital ratios by approximately 65 bps.

During the quarter, we repurchased 2.9 million shares at a total cost of $110 million. As of September 30, 2007, there were 19.2 million shares remaining under our current share repurchase authorization.

Our effective tax rate was 27.9%, similar to the tax rates experienced in the second quarter of 2007 and third quarter of 2006. The third quarter tax rate benefited from certain items that resulted in a net benefit of $8 million after-tax.

On August 16, 2007, Fifth Third Bancorp and First Charter Corporation (“FCTR”) signed a definitive agreement under which Fifth Third will acquire First Charter Bank, which operates 57 branches in North Carolina and two in Atlanta, Georgia. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2008. On September 21, 2007, Fifth Third and First Horizon Corporation (“FHN”) signed a definitive agreement under which Fifth Third will acquire nine branches in the Atlanta metro area from First Horizon. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2008. These transactions are expected to reduce first quarter 2008 capital ratios by approximately 45 bps. Additionally, we have received the necessary regulatory approvals to complete our acquisition of R-G Crown Bank, expected to close in November 2007. This transaction is expected to reduce fourth quarter capital ratios by approximately 40 bps.

Outlook

The following outlook represents currently expected full year growth rates compared with full year 2006 results. The outlook does not include the effect of our pending acquisition of R-G Crown Bank. Our outlook is based on current expectations as of the date of this release for results within our businesses; prevailing views related to economic growth, inflation, unemployment and other economic factors; and market forward interest rate expectations. These expectations are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. There are a number of factors that could cause results to differ materially from historical performance and these expectations. We undertake no obligation to update these expectations after the date of this release. Please refer to the cautionary statement at the end of this release for more information.

Category

Net interest income

Noninterest margin

Noninterest income*

Noninterest expense**

Loans

Core deposits

Net charge-offs

Effective tax rate [non-tax equivalent]

Tangible equity/tangible asset ratio

Growth, percentage, or bps range [change from July]

Mid single digits

3.35-3.40%

High single digits

Mid-to-high single digits

Mid single digits

Low-to-mid single digits

Mid-50 bps range

28.5-29.0%

2007 target 6.5% [including R-G Crown]

*comparison with the prior year excludes $415 million of losses recorded in noninterest income related to fourth quarter 2006 balance sheet actions

**comparison with the prior year excludes $49 million of charges: $10 million in third quarter 2006 related to the early retirement of debt, and $39 million in fourth quarter 2006 related to termination of financing agreements

Conference Call

Fifth Third will host a conference call to discuss these financial results at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) today. The
audio webcast is available through the Fifth Third Investor Relations website at www.53.com (click on “About
Fifth Third” then “Investor Relations”). Participants are advised to access the conference call at least 15
minutes prior to the scheduled start time. The dial-in number is 877-309-0967 for domestic access and 706-
679-3977 for international access (password: Fifth Third).

If you are unable to listen to the live call you may access a webcast replay or podcast through the Fifth Third
Investor Relations website at www.53.com. Additionally, a replay of the conference call will be available until
Friday, November 2nd by dialing 800-642-1687 for domestic access and 706-645-9291 for international access (passcode 5024648#).

Corporate Profile

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $104 billion in assets, operates 18 affiliates with 1,181 full-service Banking Centers, including 104 Bank Mart® locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores and 2,153 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Missouri. Fifth Third operates five main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, Investment Advisors and Fifth Third Processing Solutions. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of September 30, 2007, has $232 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $34 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded through the NASDAQ® National Global Select Market System under the symbol “FITB.”

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report may contain forward-looking statements about Fifth Third Bancorp and/or the company as combined acquired entities within the meaning of Sections 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder, that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. This report may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of Fifth Third Bancorp and/or the combined company including statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words or phrases such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “trend,” “objective,” “continue,” “remain” or similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “can,” “may” or similar expressions. There are a number of important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from historical performance and these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (1) general economic conditions, either national or in the states in which Fifth Third, one or more acquired entities and/or the combined company do business, are less favorable than expected; (2) political developments, wars or other hostilities may disrupt or increase volatility in securities markets or other economic conditions; (3) changes in the interest rate environment reduce interest margins; (4) prepayment speeds, loan origination and sale volumes, charge-offs and loan loss provisions; (5) our ability to maintain required capital levels and adequate sources of funding and liquidity; (6) changes and trends in capital markets; (7) competitive pressures among depository institutions increase significantly; (8) effects of critical accounting policies and judgments; (9) changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other regulatory agencies; (10) legislative or regulatory changes or actions, or significant litigation, adversely affect Fifth Third, one or more acquired entities and/or the combined company or the businesses in which Fifth Third, one or more acquired entities and/or the combined company are engaged; (11) ability to maintain favorable ratings from rating agencies; (12) fluctuation of Fifth Third’s stock price; (13) ability to attract and retain key personnel; (14) ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries; (15) potentially dilutive effect of future acquisitions on current shareholders' ownership of Fifth Third; (16) effects of accounting or financial results of one or more acquired entity; (17) difficulties in combining the operations of acquired entities; (18) ability to secure confidential information through the use of computer systems and telecommunications network; and (19) the impact of reputational risk created by these developments on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements is available in the Bancorp's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies of this filing are available at no cost on the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov or on the Fifth Third’s Web site at www.53.com. Fifth Third undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements or reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report.